Air humidifier

Abstract

The invention relates to an air humidifier (1) for humidifying a relatively dry supply air flow (2) by means of a relatively humid exhaust air flow (3), comprising a housing (4) having four connections (5), the invention relates to an air humidifier (1) having interfaces (2) forming an air supply inlet (6) for conveying an air supply flow (2), an air supply outlet (7) for discharging the air supply flow (2), an exhaust air inlet (8) for conveying an exhaust air flow (3), and an exhaust air outlet (9) for discharging the exhaust air flow (3), having a membrane block (10) having a plurality of membranes (11) which are configured to be impermeable to air and permeable to water vapour, an air supply path (12) through which the air supply flow (2) can flow and an exhaust path (13) through which the exhaust flow (3) can flow are formed in the module (10). The humidification effect of the air humidifier (1) can be improved in that the air humidifier (1) has at least one baffle plate (14) which is arranged outside the membrane block (10) in the housing (4) such that an air flow (15) formed by the supply air flow (2) or the exhaust air flow (3) can flow into the baffle plate (14), each baffle plate (14) being arranged and / or configured such that the baffle plate (14) can flow into the membrane block (10). The baffle plate is designed such that the baffle plate homogenizes the flow of the membrane block (10) in the air supply path (12) or the air discharge path (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air humidifier according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the air humidifier humidifies a relatively dry supply airflow by means of a relatively moist exhaust airflow. Background Technology

[0002] An air humidifier of this type is known from DE 10 2020 212 596 A1, the air humidifier having a housing and a membrane block arranged in the housing. The housing here has four interfaces forming an air supply inlet for conveying a supply airflow, an air supply outlet for discharging the supply airflow, an exhaust inlet for conveying an exhaust flow, and an exhaust outlet for discharging the exhaust flow. The membrane block has multiple membranes configured to be air impermeable and water vapor permeable, and forms an air supply path through which the supply airflow can flow and an exhaust path through which the exhaust flow can flow within the membrane block. Here, in the membrane block, the air supply path and the exhaust path are separated from each other by membranes, such that the supply air remains in the supply airflow and the exhaust remains in the exhaust flow, while moisture, in the form of water vapor, passes from the exhaust through the membranes to the supply air. As known in DE 102020 212 596A1, these membranes can be implemented as flat membranes and arranged in a stacked manner in the membrane block. Alternatively, similar to DE 10 2015 224 202 A1, these membranes can also be implemented as hollow fiber membranes and arranged in bundles within a membrane block.

[0003] This type of air humidifier can be used in fuel cell systems, where a relatively dry supply flow is formed by fresh air supplied to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, while a relatively humid exhaust flow is formed by exhaust from the cathode side of the fuel cell stack.

[0004] To achieve the lowest possible flow resistance, the membrane module is constructed to be relatively large, such that the side of the membrane module facing one of the interfaces has a significantly larger flow-through cross-sectional area than the interface facing that side of the membrane module. This applies to the gas supply side inflow surface of the membrane module. Its area is larger than the cross-sectional area through which the gas supply inlet can pass. Correspondingly, this also applies to the gas supply side outlet surface of the membrane module. Its area is larger than the cross-sectional area through which the air outlet flows. The same applies to the inflow surface on the exhaust side of the membrane module, whose area is larger than the cross-sectional area through which the exhaust inlet flows. This relationship also applies to the outflow surface on the exhaust side of the membrane module, whose area is significantly larger than the cross-sectional area through which the exhaust outlet flows. Due to the orientation and positioning of the interfaces on the housing, only a portion of the membrane module is located in the discharge area of ​​the air supply or exhaust inlet and the inflow area of ​​the air supply or exhaust outlet. This inevitably leads to uneven flow through the membrane module in the air supply and exhaust paths. As a result, the humidification performance or water transfer rate of the air humidifier is not optimally utilized. In particular, the areas of the membrane module relatively far from the interfaces are subject to relatively low flow through the supply or exhaust airflow. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem of the present invention is to provide an improved embodiment of the air humidifier as described above, which in particular has higher humidification performance or water transfer rate.

[0006] According to the present invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] This invention is based on the general idea that, within a housing, in the supply or exhaust flow, at least one baffle is arranged upstream or downstream of the membrane module to ensure uniform flow of the supply or exhaust flow through the membrane module. This uniform flow is achieved, on the one hand, through the targeted positioning of the baffle on the inflow or outflow side of the membrane module, and on the other hand, through a corresponding uniformizing configuration of the baffle. For example, the baffle can create increased flow resistance in the section of the membrane module directly facing the interface, forcing the airflow formed by the supply or exhaust flow to avoid it and thus reach other areas of the membrane module. This avoidance or deflection of the airflow results in uniform flow through the membrane module.

[0008] In this context, “configuration” is equivalent to “configuration” and / or “setting”, such that the expression “configured to make” has the same meaning as the expressions “configured to make” and / or “set to make”.

[0009] Specifically, the present invention proposes an air humidifier having at least one baffle disposed in the housing outside the membrane block such that the baffle can face the airflow formed by the supply airflow or the exhaust airflow, wherein the baffle is particularly arranged and / or configured such that the baffle causes homogenization of the flow through the membrane block in the supply airflow path or the exhaust airflow path.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment, each baffle can be arranged within the housing between the membrane block and one of the interfaces, such that the baffle is opposite to the interface, particularly directly opposite, i.e., opposite on a direct or shortest path. This results in the projection of the flow-through cross-section of the interface, parallel to the main flow direction of the airflow in the interface, toward the membrane block, falling on the baffle. In particular, the baffle can be centrally arranged in the housing relative to the interface, such that the projection falls centrally on the baffle. Thus, if the baffle is arranged on the inflow side of the membrane block, the baffle covers the area on the membrane block that mainly flows in from each interface. When the baffle is arranged on the outflow side of the membrane block, the baffle covers the area in the membrane block that directly leads to each interface.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the baffle can be arranged in the housing such that the airflow can circumferentially around the baffle on the edge side. In other words, the baffle allows the airflow to be deflected to the surrounding edge of the baffle, and there is an edge-side flow around the baffle, thereby allowing the airflow to also reach areas in the membrane block relatively far from the central region of the baffle.

[0012] One advantageous implementation is that the baffle is configured to be permeable by an airflow. For this purpose, the baffle can be made of a porous material or have a honeycomb, grid, or mesh structure. The baffle can also be configured as a perforated plate. Due to the permeability of the baffle, the airflow can also flow to the area of ​​the membrane block covered by the baffle.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the baffle can be configured such that the flow resistance in the flow-through central region of the baffle is greater than the flow resistance in the flow-through edge region of the baffle. This forces the airflow away from the central region and towards the edge region. This contributes to the homogenization of the flow through the membrane module.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the baffle may have multiple through openings through which airflow can pass, wherein the through openings constructed in the central region have a smaller cross-sectional area than the through openings constructed in the edge regions. This results in the baffle having a greater flow resistance in the central region than in the edge regions.

[0015] In another embodiment, the baffle may have multiple through-holes through which airflow can pass, the through-holes extending from a central region to an edge region, wherein the through-holes in the central region have a smaller width than the through-holes in the edge regions. In other words, the through-holes diverge from the inside out or converge from the outside in. This measure also results in the baffle having greater flow resistance in the central region than in the edge regions.

[0016] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, grids can be arranged on the inflow or outflow side of each baffle, and these grids can be configured to generate turbulence. Airflow can pass through the grids, but the grids generate turbulence in the airflow through their grid structure, which contributes to the homogenization of the airflow.

[0017] The grid can completely cover the baffle. Here, the baffle can have a surrounding edge. The grid can be flush with this edge of the baffle or protrude beyond the edge of the baffle. In particular, the grid can extend to the housing and thereby cover the surrounding gap or annular gap between the baffle and the housing, in which the baffle can be circumferentially flowed on the edge side.

[0018] Conversely, in another embodiment, grids for generating turbulence can be arranged or constructed in the through-openings, wherein the grids completely fill the opening cross-section of each through-opening. In this embodiment, the grids or grid structures are integrated into the baffle and function only in the region of the through-opening. For example, it is conceivable to use grids as inserts in an injection mold for a baffle made of plastic, such that the grids in the through-opening fill the opening cross-section of the through-opening and are further embedded in the baffle material.

[0019] In another embodiment, such a baffle can be arranged in the housing upstream or downstream of the membrane module in the supply airflow. Additionally or alternatively, such a baffle can be arranged in the housing upstream or downstream of the membrane module in the exhaust airflow. The air humidifier can therefore have exactly one baffle in the supply airflow or exactly one baffle in the exhaust airflow. Alternatively, the air humidifier can also have exactly two or more baffles, i.e., at least one baffle in the supply airflow and at least one baffle in the exhaust airflow. For the baffle in the supply airflow, it is preferable to arrange the baffle upstream of the membrane module because an improved water transfer rate can be expected due to the resulting lower air pressure in the membrane module. For the baffle in the exhaust airflow, it is preferable to arrange the baffle downstream of the membrane module because an improved water transfer rate can be expected due to the resulting higher air pressure in the membrane module.

[0020] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, this baffle can be arranged downstream of the membrane block in the exhaust flow within the housing and configured as a water droplet separator. Thus, the baffle gains an additional function, as it is specifically designed to separate liquid water carried in the exhaust flow. The housing may also be equipped with a water collection volume. The baffle can then be suitably configured to deliver the separated water droplets or separated water into the water collection volume. The water collection volume may have a drain valve so that water collected in the water collection volume can be discharged from the water collection volume when a specific fill level is reached or periodically.

[0021] According to another advantageous embodiment, a guide groove can be constructed on the inflow side of the baffle to guide water droplets separated at the baffle to the water collection volume. This improves the transport of water generated by droplet separation at the baffle to the water collection volume.

[0022] According to another advantageous embodiment, guide ribs may be arranged and / or formed on the inner side of the housing, upstream of the membrane block, for better guiding the supply airflow and / or exhaust airflow to the membrane block and / or baffle, especially to the flow-through edge region or the flow-around edge.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, guide ribs may be arranged and / or formed on the inner side of the housing, downstream of the membrane block, for better guiding the supply airflow and / or exhaust airflow away from the membrane block and / or baffle, especially from the flow-through edge region or the flow-around edge.

[0024] The guide ribs improve flow guidance within the housing of the air humidifier. In particular, the guide ribs improve inflow to the baffles, especially to the flow-through or flow-around edges of the baffles, thereby additionally supporting the homogenization of the flow through the membrane in the supply or exhaust path due to the baffles.

[0025] The air humidifier according to any one of the foregoing features is particularly suitable for use in vehicles.

[0026] Other important features and advantages of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims, the drawings, and the related description of the drawings with reference to the drawings.

[0027] It is understood that the features described above, as well as those explained below, can be used not only in their respective combinations, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. The components belonging to a higher-level unit, such as devices, apparatuses, or components mentioned above and to be mentioned below, are individually designated and may form a separate part or component of that unit, or a whole region or portion of that unit, even if these are shown differently in the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0029] The attached figures schematically illustrate:

[0030] Figure 1 A highly simplified, circuit-like cross-sectional schematic diagram of an air humidifier in the area of ​​the air supply path.

[0031] Figure 2 :and Figure 1A similar view, but in the area of ​​the exhaust path.

[0032] Figures 3 to 5 These are simplified top views of the height of the baffle in different implementation methods. Detailed Implementation

[0033] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Air humidifier 1 can be used, in particular, in fuel cell systems, and is used to humidify the exhaust flow 3 (in a relatively moist environment). Figure 2 (Indicated by arrow) for the relatively dry supply airflow 2 (in) Figure 1 Humidification is performed (as indicated by the arrow), and the air humidifier includes a housing 4 with four interfaces 5. These four interfaces 5 are formed in... Figure 1 The visible air inlet 6 for conveying airflow 2 is in Figure 1 The visible air outlet 7 for discharging airflow 2 is in Figure 2 The exhaust inlet 8 visible in the image is used to transport the exhaust flow 3 and in... Figure 2 The exhaust outlet 9, visible in the image, is used to discharge exhaust flow 3.

[0034] The air humidifier 1 also has a membrane block 10 disposed in the housing 4, the membrane block having a plurality of membranes 11 configured to be substantially impermeable to air and substantially permeable to water vapor. The membranes 11 are arranged in the membrane block 10 such that they form an air supply path 12 and an exhaust path 13 within the membrane block 10, the air supply path being... Figure 1 The exhaust path is indicated by an arrow and can be traversed by airflow 2. Figure 2 The arrow indicates the direction and the exhaust flow can pass through the 3rd channel.

[0035] The air humidifier 1 presented herein also has at least one baffle 14, which is arranged in the housing 4 outside the membrane block 10. Here, the baffle 14 is arranged in the housing 4 such that an airflow 15 can flow into the baffle 14, the airflow... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The arrow indicates the airflow, and the airflow is formed by the supply airflow 2 or the exhaust airflow 3. In addition, each baffle 14 is arranged and / or configured such that the baffles homogenize the flow of the diaphragm block 10 through the supply airflow path 12 or the exhaust airflow path 13.

[0036] exist Figure 1 In this configuration, baffle 14 is arranged within the air supply flow 2, and may also be referred to below as air supply baffle 14.1. Figure 1In the example, the air supply baffle 14.1 is arranged on the inflow side of the membrane block 10, i.e., the air supply side inflow surface 16 or the air supply inflow surface 16 of the membrane block 10. Alternatively, the air supply baffle 14.1 may also be arranged on the air supply side outflow surface 17 or the air supply outflow surface 17 of the membrane block 10. Preferably, Figure 1 The air supply baffle 14.1 shown is arranged on the inflow side. Figure 2 In this configuration, baffle 14 is arranged within the exhaust flow 3 and can also be referred to as exhaust baffle 14.2. Figure 2 In this configuration, the exhaust baffle 14.2 is arranged on the exhaust-side outflow surface 18 or exhaust outlet surface 18 of the membrane block 10. Alternatively, the exhaust baffle 14.2 can also be arranged on the exhaust-side inflow surface 19 or exhaust inflow surface 19 of the membrane block 10. However, a preferred configuration is... Figure 2 The exhaust baffle 14.2 shown is arranged on the outflow side. The air humidifier 1 can, in principle, be equipped with two such baffles 14, such that the air humidifier has one such baffle 14 in each of the supply airflow 2 and the exhaust airflow 3. Accordingly, the air humidifier 1 can be equipped with a supply air baffle 14.1 and an exhaust air baffle 14.2. Similarly, it is possible to adopt an embodiment in which the air humidifier 1 is only equipped with a supply air baffle 14.1, that is, only one baffle 14 arranged in the supply airflow 2. Similarly, it is possible to adopt an embodiment in which the air humidifier 1 is only equipped with an exhaust air baffle 14.2, that is, only one baffle 14 arranged in the exhaust airflow 3.

[0037] Each baffle 14 is arranged within the housing 4 between the membrane block 10 and an interface 5, such that the baffle 14 is opposite, and in particular directly opposite, the interface 5. This results in the projection 22 of the flow-through cross-section 20 of each interface 5 falling onto the baffle 14 towards the membrane block 10, the projection being parallel to the main flow direction 21 of the airflow 15 in the respective interface 5, indicated by arrows. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the middle, projection 22 is indicated by a dashed line, or more precisely, in Figure 1 For gas inlet 6, in Figure 2 The middle is targeting exhaust outlet 9.

[0038] Furthermore, each baffle 14 is positioned within the housing 4 such that airflow 15 can circulate around the baffle on its edge side. For this purpose, each baffle 14 is sized such that an annular or circumferential gap 24 is formed between the surrounding edge 23 of the baffle 14 and the housing 4, through which airflow 15 can flow and circulate around the baffle 14 on its edge side.

[0039] Each baffle 14 is also configured such that an airflow 15 can pass through it. Advantageously, the baffle 14 is configured such that in the central region 25 of the baffle where airflow is permitted (in...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The flow resistance in the region marked with curly braces is greater than that in the flowable edge region 26 (in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The flow resistance in the central region 25 is marked with curly braces and enclosed in a ring. The central region 25 and the edge region 26 are... Figure 3 and Figure 4 This can also be seen in the text.

[0040] according to Figure 1 The air humidifier 1 has guide ribs 41 arranged and / or formed inside the housing 4 upstream and downstream of the membrane block 10, respectively. Here, the guide ribs 41 are used upstream to better guide the supply airflow 2 to the membrane block 10 and / or the baffle 14 and downstream to better guide the supply airflow 2 away from the membrane block 10.

[0041] Here, the guide rib 41 supports the upstream flow of the membrane block 10 to guide the supply airflow 2 to the baffle 14. In particular, the guide rib 41 supports the inflow to the flowable edge region 26 of the baffle 14 or the flowable edge 23 on the edge side, which in turn has a positive effect on the flow homogenization of the membrane block 10 in the air supply path 12 achieved by the baffle 14.

[0042] It is also conceivable that the guide ribs 41 are arranged and / or formed only upstream or downstream of the membrane block 10 in the supply airflow 2 inside the housing 4 of the air humidifier 1.

[0043] Similarly, it is conceivable that corresponding guide ribs 41 are alternatively or additionally arranged in the exhaust flow 3 and / or formed upstream and / or downstream of the membrane block 10 (not shown).

[0044] according to Figure 3 The baffle 14 may have multiple through openings 27, 28, and 29 through which the airflow 15 can pass. The through opening 27 constructed in the central region 25 may have a smaller cross-sectional area 40 for the flow-through opening than the through opening 29 constructed in the edge region 26. Figure 3In the example, three different types or sizes of through openings 27, 28, and 29 are shown purely illustratively and without limitation. A first through opening 27 is located in a central region 25 and each has a relatively small flow-through opening cross-section 40. A second through opening 28 is located in an intermediate region 30, situated between the central region 25 and the edge region 26. The second through opening 28 has a medium flow-through opening cross-section 40, which is larger than the opening cross-section 40 of the first through opening 27 in any case. A third through opening 29 is located in the edge region 26 and each has a relatively large flow-through opening cross-section 40, which is larger than the medium opening cross-section 40 of the second through opening 28, and thus also larger than the small opening cross-section 40 of the first through opening 27. Figure 3 In the examples, the through openings 27, 28, and 29 are constructed as circles purely illustratively and without limitation in generality. However, in principle they can have any geometry.

[0045] exist Figure 4 In the alternative embodiment shown, the baffle 14 may have a plurality of through openings 31 through which airflow 15 can pass, extending from the central region 25 to the edge region 26. Each through opening 31 has an opening width 32 that increases from the inside out, i.e., towards the edge 23, such that the opening width 32 is smaller in the central region 25 than in the edge region 26. Figure 4 In the example, the through opening 31 is constructed as a triangle purely by way of example. The through opening 31 converges from the outside in.

[0046] according to Figure 5 The baffle 14 may optionally have a grid 33, which in Figure 5 The grid 33 is arranged on the observer-facing side of the baffle 14. Here, the grid 33 can be arranged on either the inflow or outflow side of each baffle 14. The grid 33 is permeable to the airflow 15 and is also configured to generate turbulence in the airflow 15 during permeation. Figure 5 In the example, grid 33 completely covers baffle 14. Specifically, according to... Figure 5 The grid 33 may be flush with the edge 23 of the baffle 14. In another embodiment, the grid 33 may protrude beyond the edge 23 of the baffle 14. In particular, the grid 33 may extend into the housing 4 and be suitably supported on the housing 4, bridging the particularly annular gap 24.

[0047] In another implementation, according to Figure 3 and Figure 4It can be configured such that optional grids 34 are arranged or constructed in the through openings 27, 28, 29, and 31, respectively, and these grids completely fill the opening cross-section 40 of each through opening 27, 28, 29, and 31. Figure 3 In the image, purely illustrative and representing all other through openings 27, 28, 29, this optional grid 34 is drawn in a third through opening 29. Figure 4 In the same way, this optional grid 34 is drawn only in one through opening 31, representing all other through openings 31.

[0048] exist Figures 3 to 5 In this embodiment, the baffle 14 is circular in shape, purely exemplary and not generally limited to. Clearly, the baffle 14 is suitably adapted to the cross-section of the membrane block 10, which has this cross-section on the side facing each of the interfaces 5 and extends perpendicular to the main flow direction 21 of each interface 5. In particular, the membrane block 10 may be configured in a cubic shape, such that the membrane block has a rectangular cross-section on its gas supply side inflow surface 16, its gas supply side outflow surface 17, and / or its exhaust side inflow surface 19 and its exhaust side outflow surface 18. Accordingly, each baffle 14 may also have a rectangular shape.

[0049] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, a baffle 14, i.e., an exhaust baffle 14.2, arranged downstream of the membrane block 10 in the exhaust flow 3 within the housing 4, is additionally configured as a droplet separator 35. Liquid water is conveyed in the exhaust flow 3 in the form of droplets. At the exhaust-side outlet surface 18, the exhaust flow 3, loaded with water droplets, flows out of the membrane block 10 and impacts the baffle 14 arranged on the outlet side, where it can adhere and accumulate before finally flowing down. The housing 4 is equipped with a water collection volume 36, which may be constructed in a water collection container 37 or otherwise provided within the housing 4. The baffle 14, functioning as the droplet separator 35, is configured to convey separated water or separated droplets into the water collection volume 36. The water collection volume 36 and / or the associated water collection container 37 may be equipped with a drain valve 38 by means of which water collected in the water collection volume 36 can be selectively discharged. On the inflow side of the baffle 14, which functions as a water droplet separator 35, a plurality of guide channels 39 can be constructed, some of which are in Figure 4 The diagram is shown purely by way of example. These guide channels 39 are configured to guide water droplets separated at the baffle 14 to the water collection volume 36.

[0050] List of reference numerals

[0051] 1. Air humidifier

[0052] 2. Airflow

[0053] 3. Exhaust flow

[0054] 4. Shell

[0055] 5 Interfaces

[0056] 6. Gas supply inlet

[0057] 7 Gas supply outlet

[0058] 8. Exhaust Inlet

[0059] 9. Exhaust outlet

[0060] 10 membrane blocks

[0061] 11 Membrane

[0062] 12 Gas supply routes

[0063] 13 Exhaust path

[0064] 14 baffles

[0065] 15. Airflow

[0066] 16 Gas supply inflow surface

[0067] 17. Airflow outlet surface

[0068] 18 Exhaust outlet surface

[0069] 19 Exhaust inflow surface

[0070] 20 Cross-section

[0071] 21. Main flow direction

[0072] 22 Projection

[0073] 23 Edge

[0074] 24 gaps

[0075] 25 Central Area

[0076] 26. Edge Area

[0077] 27 First through opening

[0078] 28 Second through opening

[0079] 29 Third through opening

[0080] 30. Middle area

[0081] 31 Through opening

[0082] 32 Opening width

[0083] 33 grids

[0084] 34 grids

[0085] 35 Water Droplet Separator

[0086] 36 Water collection volume

[0087] 37 Collection Container

[0088] 38. Discharge valve

[0089] 39 Guide slot

[0090] 40 Opening cross-section

[0091] 41. Guide rib

Claims

1. An air humidifier (1) for humidifying a relatively dry supply airflow (2) by means of a relatively moist exhaust airflow (3), said air humidifier - It has a housing (4) having four interfaces (5) forming an air supply inlet (6) for supplying air supply (2), an air supply outlet (7) for discharging air supply (2), an exhaust inlet (8) for supplying exhaust flow (3), and an exhaust outlet (9) for discharging exhaust flow (3). - It has a membrane block (10) having a plurality of membranes (11) configured to be air impermeable and water vapor permeable, and the membranes forming an air supply path (12) through which a supply air flow (2) can pass and an exhaust path (13) through which an exhaust flow (3) can pass in the membrane block (10). Its features are, - The air humidifier (1) has at least one baffle (14) arranged in the housing (4) outside the membrane block (10) such that the baffle (14) can be filled by an airflow (15) formed by the supply airflow (2) or the exhaust airflow (3). - Each baffle (14) is arranged and / or configured such that the baffles homogenize the flow of the membrane block (10) in the gas supply path (12) or the exhaust path (13).

2. The air humidifier (1) according to claim 1, Its features are, - Each baffle (14) is arranged in the housing (4) between one of the membrane block (10) and the interface (5) such that the baffle (14) is opposite to the interface (5).

3. The air humidifier (1) according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, - Each baffle (14) is arranged in the housing (4) such that the baffle can be circulated around the edge side by the airflow (15).

4. The air humidifier (1) according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, - Each baffle (14) is configured such that the baffle can be traversed by the airflow (15).

5. The air humidifier (1) according to claim 4, Its features are, - The baffle (14) is configured such that it has a greater flow resistance in the flow-through central region (25) of the baffle (14) than in the flow-through edge region (26) of the baffle.

6. The air humidifier (1) according to claim 5, Its features are, - The baffle (14) has multiple through openings (27, 28, 29) through which airflow (15) can pass. - The through opening (27) constructed in the central region (25) has a smaller flow-through opening cross section (40) than the through opening (29) constructed in the edge region (26).

7. The air humidifier (1) according to claim 5, Its features are, - The baffle (14) has a plurality of through openings (31) through which the airflow (15) can pass, the through openings extending from the central region (25) to the edge region (26). - The through opening (31) has a smaller flow-through opening width (32) in the central region (25) than in the edge region (26).

8. The air humidifier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, - A grid (33) for generating turbulence is arranged on the inflow or outflow side of each baffle (14).

9. The air humidifier (1) according to claim 8, Its features are, -The grid (33) completely covers the baffle (14). -The baffle (14) has a surrounding edge (23), - The grid (33) terminates flush with or protrudes beyond the edge (23) of the baffle (14).

10. The air humidifier (1) according to claim 6 or 7, Its features are, - A grid (34) is arranged or constructed in each of the through openings (27, 28, 29, 31), and the grid completely fills the cross-section (40) of each through opening (27, 28, 29, 31).

11. The air humidifier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, - This baffle (14) is arranged in the housing (4) in the air supply (2) upstream or downstream of the membrane block (10), and / or - This baffle (14) is arranged in the housing (4) in the exhaust flow (3) upstream or downstream of the membrane block (10).

12. The air humidifier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, - This baffle (14) is arranged in the housing (4) downstream of the membrane block (10) in the exhaust flow (3) and is configured as a water droplet separator (35). -The shell (4) has a water collection volume (36), - The baffle (14) is configured such that it delivers the separated water droplets to the water collection volume (36).

13. The air humidifier (1) according to claim 12, Its features are, - The water collection volume (36) has a discharge valve (38) that allows water collected in the water collection volume (36) to be discharged from the water collection volume (36) when a certain fill level is reached or periodically.

14. The air humidifier (1) according to claim 12 or 13, Its features are, - A guide groove (39) is constructed on the inflow side of the baffle (14) for guiding water droplets separated at the baffle (14) to the water collection volume (36).

15. The air humidifier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, - Inside the housing (4), upstream of the membrane block (10), guide ribs (41) are arranged and / or formed for better guiding the supply airflow (2) and / or the exhaust airflow (3) to the membrane block (10) and / or the baffle (14), particularly to the flow-through edge region (26) or the flow-around edge (23) of the baffle (14), and / or - Inside the housing (4), downstream of the membrane block (10), guide ribs (41) are arranged and / or formed to better guide the supply airflow (2) and / or the exhaust airflow (3) away from the membrane block (10) and / or the baffle (14), especially from the flow-through edge region (26) or flow-around edge (23) of the baffle (14).

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